Information about Baldness
Male & Female Alopecia*
BALDNESS (ALOPECIA)
Baldness (formally alopecia) is the state of lacking hair where it usually would grow, especially on the head. The most common form of baldness is a progressive hair-thinning condition that occurs in adult humans and other primate species.
Male pattern baldness is thought to occur in varying forms in about 66% of adult
males at some point in their lives.[1] It is characterized by hair receding from
the lateral sides of the forehead, known as "receding hairline" or "receding
brow." An additional bald patch may develop on top (vertex). The trigger for
this type of baldness, which is also known as androgenic alopecia, is currently
believed to be 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme that converts the hormone
testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which, in genetically-prone hairs
on the scalp, inhibits hair growth. Onset of hair loss sometimes begins as early
as end of puberty, and is mostly genetically determined. Male pattern baldness
is classified on the Hamilton-Norwood scale I-VIII.
Female pattern baldness, in which the midline parting of the hair appears
broadened, is less common. It is believed to result from a decrease in estrogen,
a hormone that normally counteracts the balding effect of testosterone, which
normally occurs in women's blood. Female pattern baldness is being classified on
the Ludwig scale I-III.
There are several other kinds of baldness. Traction alopecia is most commonly
found in women with ponytails or cornrows that pull on their hair with excessive
force. Wearing a hat shouldn't generally cause this, though it is a good idea to
let your scalp breathe for 7 hours a day.[2] Traumas such as chemotherapy,
childbirth, major surgery, poisoning, and severe stress may cause a hair loss
condition known as telogen effluvium. Some mycotic infections can cause massive
hair loss. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disorder also known as "spot
baldness" that can result in hair loss ranging from just one location (Alopecia
areata monolocularis) to every hair on the entire body (Alopecia areata
universalis).
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